A member of the Parliamentary Health Committee in Lebanon, Ali Al-Miqdad said Friday that a new variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Lebanon.

"Coronavirus tests conducted in two major laboratories in Lebanon showed a genetic mutation in the virus," he said.

He said that 50 percent of the tests during the past few days confirmed the presence of a new variant of COVID-19, adding "We do not know yet if we are facing a new type of the virus, or if the coronavirus has developed itself."

The new variant of the virus has a higher transmission rate, Miqdad said.

Miqdad called on citizens to comply with all health and safety measures, which include wearing face masks and social distancing.

On Jan. 11, Lebanon declared a 'state of health emergency,' amid an already-imposed total lockdown that has done little to curb the rising spread of the coronavirus.

The coronavirus situation in Lebanon is deteriorating as hospitals are running out of beds for COVID-19 patients, among other medical equipment.

Friday, Lebanon reported a record high number of COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours, confirming 6,154 new cases and 44 deaths.

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